Get Ready
Tuesday, August 18
Wednesday, August 19
| 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Registration |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 8:00 AM - 8:50 AM | Keynote Presentation: The Bold Gold Standard |
| 9:00 AM - 9:50 AM | Panel Discussion: Making the C in C-Suite Stand for Culture |
| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM |
3 Concurrent Sessions Understand Confined Space Rules - End Confined Space Incidents The Hidden Driver of Safety, Efficiency, and Trust in Damage Prevention Seeing What Paint Can't: Infrastructure Visualization in the 811 System |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM |
3 Concurrent Sessions The Roundtable: Are We at a Tipping Point? Ideas for System Change. Breaking Down Silos: How a Unified Communication Ecosystem Can Transform Damage Prevention The Next Frontier in Damage Prevention: Integrating SUE for Predictable, Safe and Efficient Construction |
| 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM |
Lunch with Exhibitors |
| 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM |
Exhibits & Lightning Talks 1:00 PM: The Power of Gamification: From Herodotus to ... Underline Quest! - B. Scott Crawford, President & CEO, Virginia 811 1:10 PM: Increasing Machine Operator's Situational Awareness when Working near Submerged Hazards and Infrastructure - Lou Nash, General Manager, Measutronics 1:20 PM: Pipehorn Safety Sweep - Brent Pritchard, Sales & Marketing Director, Pipehorn 1:30 PM: AI in Damage Prevention: No, It's Not Skynet (And There Are No Terminators...Yet) - Jose Espino, Business Development Manager, Norfield 1:40 PM: 1:50 PM: Break 2:00 PM: 2:10 PM: 2:20 PM: 2:30 PM: 2:40 PM: Break 3:00 PM: 3:10 PM: 3:20 PM: 3:30 PM: 3:40 PM: |
| 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM |
Exhibitor Reception: Refreshments & Door Prizes |
| 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM |
Safety Shindig - A Night of Music! |
Thursday, August 20
| 7:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Registration |
| 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Breakfast with Exhibitors |
| 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Exhibitor Move-Out |
| 9:00 AM - 9:45 AM |
3 Concurrent Sessions Can You Prove It's Working? A Data-Driven Look at 811 Education Outcomes Digging In: Crisis Defense for Utility Teams Beyond the Locate: Integrating Data-Driven Strategies for Holistic Damage Prevention |
| 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM |
3 Concurrent Sessions Beyond the Marketing: Real-World Vulnerabilities in Online Proctoring Benefits of Resource Allocation and Ticket Management Total Awareness: Eliminating Blind Spots in Damage Prevention |
| 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM |
3 Concurrent Sessions From Buzzword to Breakthrough: How Tennessee 811 Uses AI to Double Error Detection Clear the Way: How Private Locating Accelerates Safe, Efficient Fiber Installs |
To register, review the badge options below, click Attendee Registration or Group Registration, fill out the form, and select your badge type on the payment page. If you've never attended a Global Conference, contact Whitney@AligningChange.com to get a special $811 Conference rate.
The Safety Shindig is a Wednesday evening networking event. All badge types include 1 Safety Shindig wristband, except EXPO ONLY. Extra wristbands are available for purchase.
Conference
Includes:
- Exhibits
- Welcome Reception
- Sessions
- Meals
- Safety Shindig Wristband
- **Prices Increases Onsite
Wednesday Day Pass
Includes:
- Exhibits
- Sessions
- Breakfast & Lunch with Exhibitors
- Safety Shindig Wristband
Expo Only
Includes:
- Exhibits
- Welcome Reception
- Breakfast & Lunch with Exhibitors
Extra Safety Shindig Wristband
Includes:
- 1 Wristband All badge types include a Safety Shindig wristband EXCEPT Expo Only
Advanced Utility Locator Skills Enhancement Workshop
Includes:
- Access to the workshop
- Exhibits
- Breakfast & lunch
Damage Investigation OR Utility Mapping with GIS Workshop
Includes:
- Access to the workshop
- Exhibits
- Breakfast
DAMAGE INVESTIGATION WORKSHOP – $200
8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Instructor: Roger Cox, President, ACTS Now, Inc.
**Includes breakfast
OK, you’ve had a damage, now what? Whether you are the utility owner/operator, excavator or the locator of record; the one thing you’ll have in common now is a need for a quality damage investigation. Just determining the facts about the damage is not enough. The objective of this workshop is to teach the participant how to conduct a quality damage investigation. If the investigation doesn’t determine clearly why the damage occurred, it is likely to reoccur. Additionally if the investigation itself is not clear, concise and complete, you are more likely to be responsible for damages and/or fines even if you were not responsible for the damage.
Attend this workshop and learn what makes a photograph a good photograph, learn the value of telling the story of the damage with sketches and photos and presenting your findings with credibility. This workshop is for anyone who has ever been involved in a damaged utility line and tried to identify who was “at-fault” instead of gathering the facts.
ADVANCED UTILITY LOCATOR SKILLS ENHANCEMENT WORKSHOP – $250
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Bob Nighswonger, Instructor, University of Texas Arlington's Public Works Institute
**Includes breakfast and lunch
**Bring your own locating equipment
Dive into an intensive, hands-on workshop designed for utility locators of every skill level, from beginners to seasoned professionals. Our Utility Locator Skills Enhancement Workshop is tailored to empower participants with a comprehensive understanding and practical know-how for efficiently locating buried utilities such as pipes, cables, and wires. Regardless of your experience, you’ll find invaluable insights and techniques to refine your locating strategies.
This is a brand-neutral workshop. Participants should bring their line detection tools.
Course Overview
Part 1: Damage Prevention Orientation & Site Marking Communications
We kickstart this workshop with an essential orientation on the universal goal of preventing excavation damages and the role that every stakeholder plays in the process. This segment also unravels the language of excavation site markings and tolerance zones. The information provided will paint and flag markings into dialogue between utility operators and the excavator or excavation crew. You’ll leave this part equipped to place and interpret any dig site markings and grasp the critical messages they convey.
Part 2: Locating Technologies, Theory, and Equipment Operation
Immerse yourself in the world of locating technologies, understanding the fundamental signal wave theories that are fundamental for effective line locating and troubleshooting problem locates. This section offers a hands-on exploration of applying signals using an EM transmitter and harnessing a signal receiver for accurate detection and tracing of underground utilities. Learn to navigate the challenges of signal distortion and interference with expert techniques and actionable knowledge.
Part 3: Hands-On Outdoor Training
The culmination of your learning experience, this outdoor session puts theory into practice. With your line locating equipment in hand (please bring your own), this non-equipment specific training offers a unique opportunity to apply your new skills in a real-world setting. Receive personalized tips on maximizing the efficiency and accuracy of your equipment, directly from industry experts.
Join us for a day of skill-building, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on learning to elevate your utility locating abilities to the next level.
UTILITY MAPPING WITH GIS WORKSHOP – $200
JOIN THE MOVEMENT TO ADVANCE DAMAGE PREVENTION WORKSHOP - FREE
8:00 AM - 9:45 AM
Instructor: Coral Lukaniuk, Executive Director, Damage Prevention Professional Certification
**Includes breakfast
If you believe damage prevention should be formally recognized as a profession with a defined pathway, this session is for you. Damage prevention is vital to public safety, environmental protection, and the reliability of our critical utility systems. Yet many practitioners step into these roles without a title, a pathway, or a profession to belong to. The DPPC aims to change that by establishing clear standards, respected career paths, and ongoing competency expectations, strengthening credibility and collaboration across the industry. The workshop will open with a brief overview of the strategic foundation and the guiding principle that the DPPC is for industry, built by industry. You’ll contribute directly to shaping the certification framework through facilitated exercises and discussion. Together, we’ll help define and elevate the damage prevention profession.
Why Exhibit?
Put your brand in the spotlight at the premier global event for damage prevention! This is your opportunity to connect face-to-face with a highly targeted audience of industry decision-makers who are actively seeking the latest tools, technologies, and solutions. Showcase your products and services, build lasting relationships, and generate quality leads in an environment designed for business growth. With multiple networking opportunities you’ll have many chances to engage attendees. Many of our exhibitors tell us this is THE event to be at to visit with current clients and get solid leads on new prospects. Don’t miss this unmatched platform to elevate your brand and drive your business forward.
Booth Registration
10x10 Booth:
$3,100
10x20 Booth:
$5,580
Includes:
- 10'x10' or 10'x20' space
- 8'×3' backwall and side pipe & drape
- 2 Exhibitor badges (10'x10') OR
- 4 Exhibitor badges (10'x20')
- 1 skirted table
- 2 chairs
- Wastebasket
- Company sign
Additional Exhibitor Badges available for $600/person.
Carpet not required. If you'd like to order carpet for your booth, click here
FedEx Direct to site shipping information – Any and all shipments not being handled by our decorator or carriers should be shipped via or onsite FedEx Business Center to ensure they are received accurately
Exhibit Hall Schedule
2026 Exhibitors
American Petroleum Institute
Badger Infrastructure Solutions
Benchmark Subsurface Utility Services
BOSS811
Holding Back Disaster?
GeoPoint Academy
Gulf Coast Safety Council
GridHawk/LineQuest
MarineSafe811
Mason Private Locating
Measutronics
Network Integrity Systems
Norfield
North American Private Utility Association
Northern Lights Locating & Inspection
Nulca
Olameter Corporation
Paradigm
Pipehorn Locating Technology
Pipeline Association for Public Awareness
PHMSA
SharedGeo
SmartTIX LLC
Southwest Distributors LLC
Staking University
Superior Hydrovac
Tennessee 811
Transit and Level Clinic
Underground Magnetics Inc
USIC
Vermeer
Virginia 811
Vivax-Metrotech
The Summit Happens Thanks To Our Awesome Sponsors!
Want to get your name out there and support a great cause? Jump on as a sponsor!
It’s a win-win — support the Summit and get noticed!
Let’s make it happen together.
SAFETY SHINDIG – $15,000 (SOLD - Thank you USIC!)
- Logo on entrance wristbands
- Logo on cups
- Logo on napkins
- Branded photo booth
- Signage in Safety Shindig event space
- Logo on website
PLATINUM – $10,000
- 10x20 booth
- 4 Exhibitor badges
- Logo on website
- Logo in registration confirmation email
- Logo in mobile app
- Choice of registration bag stuffer
EXHIBIT HALL – $13,000 (SOLD - Rust-Oleum!)
- Prominent exposure in the exhibit hall during exhibit hall hours
- Logo on website
GOLD – $6,500
- 10x10 booth
- 2 Exhibitor badges
- Logo on website
- Logo in registration confirmation email
- Logo in mobile app
- Choice of registration bag stuffer
DEMO ZONE – $5,000 (SOLD Thank you Vermeer!)
- Logo displayed in the demo zone in the exhibit hall during exhibit hall hours
- Logo added to the registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
WELCOME RECEPTION - HOSTED BAR – $3,000 (SOLD - Thank you Virginia 811!)
- Host drinks for attendees from 4:30-6:00pm on Tuesday, August 18
- Logo displayed on bar signage
- Logo on napkins
- Logo on cups
- Logo on website
EVENT BAG – $3,000 (SOLD - Thank you MISS DIG 811!)
- Logo on every attendee bag handed out at registration
- Logo on website
REGISTRATION – $3,000 (SOLD - Thank you Mississippi 811!)
- Logo displayed on the registration webpage
- Logo displayed on the onsite splash screen during registration hours
- Logo added to the registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
EDUCATION – $3,000 (SOLD - Thank you Mississippi 811!)
- Logo prominently displayed on the education webpage
- Logo added to the registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
WEDNESDAY LUNCH SPONSOR – $3,000 (QTY 3 of 4)
- Signage in exhibit hall during lunch on Wednesday
- Logo in registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
GOLF TITLE SPONSOR – $2,500 (SOLD - Thank you Rust-Oleum!)
TEE BOX SPONSOR – $2,500 (SOLD - Thank you Rust-Oleum!)
WEDNESDAY BREAKFAST SPONSOR – $2,500 (QTY 2)
- Signage during breakfast on Wednesday
- Logo in registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
DAMAGE INVESTIGATION WORKSHOP SPONSOR ($2,500)
- Logo on signage outside workshop room
- Logo on opening slide of workshop presentation
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
UTILITY LOCATOR SKILLS ENHANCEMENT WORKSHOP SPONSOR ($2,500)
- Logo on signage outside workshop room
- Logo on opening slide of workshop presentation
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
UTILITY MAPPING WITH GIS WORKSHOP SPONSOR ($2,500)
- Logo on signage outside workshop room
- Logo on opening slide of workshop presentation
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
MOBILE APP – $2,500 (QTY 1)
- Logo displayed within the mobile app as the exclusive mobile app sponsor
WEDNESDAY NIGHT EXHIBITOR RECEPTION SPONSOR – $2,000 (QTY 2 of 4)
- Signage in exhibit hall from 4-5:30pm Wednesday
- Signage near refreshments from 4-5:30pm Wednesday
- Logo in registration confirmation email
- Logo on website
- Social media promotion
BAG INSERT – $500
- Chose of insert to be placed in every attendee bag at registration
Thank You 2026 Global Damage Prevention Summit Sponsors!
Demo Zone Sponsor
Welcome Reception - Hosted Bar Sponsor
Wednesday Lunch Sponsor
Registration Sponsor
Wednesday Night Exhibitor Reception Sponsor
Education Sponsor
Title Box Sponsor
Golf Tee Box Sponsor
Bag Sponsor
Tuesday,
August 18, 2026
Registration: $150/golfer
Check-in Time: 7:30 AM
Shotgun Start: 8:00 AM
Location:
Hermitage Golf Course
3939 Old Hickory Blvd
Old Hickory, TN
Players responsible for their own transportation. Lunch is included.
Register using the form below and submit to Whitney@AligningChange.com.
Room rates start at $279/night.
(615) 889-1000 or book online.